A rambling train of thoughts about the universe and our micro solar system consisting of our dear Sun and other planets in a magnetic dance while we hurtle through space on the face of a rock and stare at flat screens where we attempt to connect while we detach.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

With Obamacare in flux,
An administrative tug of war,
War of tugs,
The Healthcare Morass.
Swirling whirling Dervishes,
Tumbleweeds of Confusion,
Blame Insurance
And patients
Sick, old, young,
Genetically unlucky,
Pain of living easier
Than the paperwork from Hell.
So yesterday,
In a fit of clarity,
I posted old articles I had done
Starting
Circa 2009
To present.
Will put up one at a time.
Hope you enjoy .
Meg

Monday, December 19, 2016

Here I was, going through the tedious pile of mail,
The Post Office declared our Rural Free Delivery 📦 mailbox as undeliverable.
Our driveway inadequate for the postal worker to turn around.
Like a country western blues song, the mailman don't come around here much anymore.

The bright spot in between the geico ads and bills and useless catalogs,

Was Richard Barone's CD.
Sorrows and Promises.

A collection of musical pieces that found their beginnings in Greenwich Village New York,
This album takes you back to that place,
That song,
The feeling, when your song plays.

Please buy Richard's CD and Experience an interesting span of time,
A musical history, a masterful piece.
Here is one cut...

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Our news comes from radio, various internet links and local channels over Air.
Oh, sometimes seems like there's no good news.
Really enjoyed WCAX Cat did a story about Vermont maple syrup going to the
International Space Station.

Let me assure you, friends, this is a chance to put a chink in the armored, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent,
Out of touch,
Old administration fragments of old deals.

my sincere appreciation of Melanie cannot be put into words...

Hi Everyone!

On Thursday and Friday December 8th and 9th (and possibly on the 12th, 13th, and 14th), the Public Service Board will be taking testimony regarding VGS's rates and also regarding VGS's alternative regulation plan. These two dockets will affect how rates are calculated for different kinds of customers, what return on equity VGS is allowed to receive (the way that the company profits from its infrastructure investments and makes money in general) AND how much of the total cost of the pipeline VGS will be allowed to recover from customers. This last bit is really important because VGS and DPS kept saying during the second remand proceedings that the approval of the Project was a completely different question from whether customers could be charged for it or the ANGP costs could be recovered from ratepayers! They said those issues would have to addressed in VGS's rate case. WELL, THE RATE CASE and VGS'S FINANCIAL RECKONING HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED!

If you have time, please attend one or more of the upcoming technical hearings to make sure that Public Service Board knows that we are still paying attention, and we don't think that VGS should get a penny from Vermonters for any unjustified expenditures to build an ill-conceived and mismanaged project.

WHEN: December 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, and 14th (the last day or two could be cancelled if they get through all of the testimony earlier) - starting at 9:30 AM and likely running throughout the day until 4:30 p.m. or thereafter. The actual schedule will probably be discussed on the first day. I will send out an update that evening.

WHERE: The hearings will be in Montpelier. Most will take place in the Pavilion Building, but one day of hearings will be at the PSB in the People's Bank Building.

REMEMBER: THESE HEARINGS ARE ABOUT WHAT VGS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS IN ITS RATES. THAT INCLUDES WHETHER AND HOW MUCH THE COMPANY CAN CHARGE FOR THE ADDISON NATURAL GAS PROJECT! Whatever the PSB says VGS can't charge customers, VGS, Gaz Metro, and their investors and shareholders will have to pay out-of-pocket!

BACKGROUND:

The MOU that VGS and DPS signed to save the project from cancellation late last year put a cap on how much VGS could recover from customers with a couple of exceptions like costs associated with protests or vandalism and costs associated with "delayed access to the ROW." HOWEVER, VGS is still obligated to prove that its expenditures were prudent, that they are "known and measurable" and that customers will actually benefit directly from the infrastructure. In addition to the ANGP, VGS is seeking to include the Phase VII looping project and over 40 smaller capital projects or system upgrades in rates.

DPS's cost assessment and rate expert originally said that the PSB would be justified in denying ALL of VGS's approximately $168 million costs for capital projects because of imprudent decisions (mostly stemming from poor project management), poor record keeping, and the company's inability to prove that the costs could be measured accurately, including when the projects would actually go into service. Finally, he questioned whether some infrastructure upgrades would actually benefit customers this coming year or at all. The big takeaway from his testimony is that there are several instances in which VGS didn't provide ANY reliable supporting documentation for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars of expenses, but because the projects themselves either are necessary for the functioning of VGS's system or a total denial of recovery of costs would be a financial hardship for VGS, he still recommends allows the entire or nearly the entire cost.

HOWEVER, despite the fact that he could have recommended disallowing all costs, he actually only recommended disallowing ONLY $35 million of over $168 million in proposed cost recovery (including the $134 million under the ANGP rate cap MOU) and another $34 million for the Phase VII looping and other projects! In the past, when this same consultant has recommended disallowing some costs, the PSB has ultimately decided to disallow even less than recommended! THE PSB NEEDS TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION!

The Board held a public hearing on the rate case in Colchester this past summer before all of the information was made available to the public and before the Department of Public Service's accounting expert made his final evaluation and recommendations, which can be found here: http://psb.vermont.gov/sites/psb/files/docketsandprojects/gas/8698-8710/DPSSurreb/10-%20Schultz%20Vermont%20Gas%20Surrebuttal%20-%20Oct%2031.pdf(the most interesting parts related to the ANGP are from pages 7-72; it's double spaced with really narrow margins so it's shorter than it seems). IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND A HEARING YOU CAN STILL SEND COMMENTS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD AT:psb.clerk@vermont.govJust remember that this case is about whether VGS customers should have to pay for the pipeline. Whether the project was a good idea in the first place given climate change, environmental devastation, etc. isn't under review. This case will determine who pays for all of VGS's mismanagement and wasteful expenditures if this pipeline ever goes into service.

It's also important that the PSB know whether VGS ratepayers are actually wiling to pay for imprudent expenditures and bills, for which VGS can't even produce invoices or receipts! So, if you have friends, who are ratepeysers, let them know that they can send their opinions and public comments to the PSB at: psb.clerk@vermont.gov

Perhaps most importantly, at this stage of the game - considering the elections and the fact that a new administration will be coming in - Please help educate the public (and our new Governor and legislators) about this very complex topic - at least so that the average natural gas customer understands that he or she is being charged for pipeline construction costs that resulted from poor management or that haven't even been supported with receipts, estimates, or work orders!!!! LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS AN OUTRAGE AND PEOPLE WON'T STAND FOR VGS GETTING A BLANK CHECK TO SPEND RATEPAYERS' MONEY WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

Maybe if VGS has to pay its own way for unnecessary, environmentally disastrous and obsolete fossil fuel infrastructure, pipeline expansion won't be quite so attractive.

In the meantime, hopefully, the Geprags Park Protectors will stop the ANGP (and then all of the project's costs could be denied!).

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”Buddha

Sunday, December 4, 2016

You may have heard that the Army Corps of Engineers is denying the permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline for the time being. This decision is subject to appeal, and will likely only stall the project until the Environmental Impact Statement is complete. We are keeping our boots on and going to continue to support this fight. We invite you all to join us :)

Here's the details for those who haven't yet seen it. Hope to see you tomorrow.

~~~

STANDING ROCK MASS ACTION: NoDAPL!

MONDAY DEC 5TH - 9 AM @ CHRIST CHURCH on State St., MONTPELIER VT

MARCH & MASS ACTION to DEFUND DAPL & STOP HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

The majority of the masses of people at this action will be those who intend to show their support for the Water Protectors and not get arrested. However, we are actively recruiting at least 50 people to risk arrest in nonviolent civil disobedience to close TD bank, a major funder of security-force violence and the destruction of sacred lands at Standing Rock. Please join us in meeting the call to action! Dress for the weather and dress in your fancies (avoid the tattered hoodie, if possible)!

In recognition of specific asks of action in solidarity with Standing Rock, we expect all people involved in this action to adhere to the following agreements and principles of nonviolence:

Action Agreements for December 5th, 2016

I will recognize that indigenous people are leading this struggle and will not engage in erasing or appropriating their experiences and history.

I will be dignified and respectful in my behavior and communication and will avoid using vulgar language and gestures. These are serious issues, and our actions must be worthy of respect.

I will be nonviolent in my actions and communication and will maintain decorum in all of my activities during the action. I will not engage in destruction or defacement of property or in actions that could physically harm another person.

I will recognize the human rights of others and my individual responsibility to respect and uphold them.

I assume all risks that may stem from taking part in this action. I will take accountability for my actions.

I will respect the hard work of the organizers by helping to make the plan successful. This includes respecting the roles and responsibilities of the action liaisons. This action has a predetermined Police Liaison (someone who will communicate directly with law enforcement as long as possible), a Worker Liaison (someone who will communicate directly with workers or employees), and a Media Liaisons (people who will communicate directly with the media).

I will defer to the predetermined media spokespeople and to the media liaison to communicate with the media. I will stay “on message” while/if engaging with the media and passersby.

I will not criticize, attack or undermine anyone's actions to the police, the media, or the public at large, but will make any concerns I have known to the organizations involved in order to improve our work together.

I recognize that the individual workers at TD bank are not responsible for the actions of TD bank. We will be respectful and courteous to workers at this action.

I understand that any solidarity action naming Standing Rock will reflect back on the tribe, not on the white people doing the solidarity actions.

What to bring/what not to bring

What to bring:

Cellphone (we may be making calls as part of the action)

A drink container (to minimize the need for disposable cups)

Any food or drink that you need (there will be food but we may not be able to accommodate specific needs)

For those risking arrest: Driver’s license or other photo ID

Respect, humility, and a sense of humor

What not to bring:

Alcohol

Drugs

Anything that may be considered a weapon, including pocketknives

Anything that you don't want to lose or that slows you down

What to wear:

Dress warmly, for the possibility of snow

Dress for respect, with the understanding that Standing Rock Solidarity actions are ceremony, and that poor dress in media photos reflects poorly on the movement

Waterproof or water resistant footwear

There is a rideshare list and signup! Check it out, and see if you can carpool!:

The NoDAPL Water Protectors are calling for a Global Day of Action on December 1st, beginning a month of actions and including special emphasis for mass, escalated actions on Dec. 5th & 6th. This is a plan from our growing coalition in VT to honor this request.THURSDAY DEC 1ST - 4 PM ON THE STATEHOUSE LAWN, MONTPELIERDemand that the State of Vermont Divest from TD BAnk, a leading financier of the DAPL project, and apologize for investing the money of hard working residents of Vermont in genocide and the undermining indigenous sovereignty. We want the VT State Treasurer Beth Pierce to work tirelessly to create a State Bank which will create revenue for the budget gap, not export money to international banking interests.

MONDAY DEC 5TH - 9 AM @ CHRIST CHURCH, MONTPELIERMARCH & MASS ACTION(More info TBA - we don't want to give too much away yet ;)The majority of the masses of people at this action will be those who intend to show their support for the Water Protectors and not get arrested. This is a day we will reject the Dakota Access Pipeline and stand for indigenous sovereignty in North Dakota and everywhere. However, we are recruiting AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE to risk arrest in non-violent civil disobedience with us, therefore making it much more likely that the DA will drop the charges, reducing all of our risk enormously. There's still a risk, however. But hundreds and thousands are facing felonies and extreme violence on the front lines, and we are calling on everyone to see this as an amazing opportunity to stand together, and to stand behind the incredible indigenous leadership at Standing Rock. Please get in touch with us if you are willing to participate in the front lines of this nonviolent civil disobedience. Updates at https://www.facebook.com/events/1684640268515661/?notif_t=plan_user_joined&notif_id=1480522221457421)

BACKGROUND
The Army Corps of Engineers has revoked a statement that they will be evicting the Standing Rock "Main Camp", the Oceti Sakowin 7 Council Fires known as the Great Sioux Nation, and their allies
on December 5th, but GOVERNOR DALRYMPLE OF NORTH DAKOTA HAS ISSUED AN ORDER TO BREAK UP THE CAMP. Though the threats and retractions are coming too fast to track through the media, it's clear that the camp is under political siege, and the Water Protectors there are in constant jeopardy.

Police and National Guard have used tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, sound grenades, and water cannons in subfreezing conditions against thousands of people, including those on our recent VT delegation to standing Rock. Hundreds of people were injured. Our solidarity efforts are needed now more than ever.

Solidarity actions are having a measurable impact and Dakota Access is facing a major deadline. The financial footing of the Dakota Access Pipeline is in jeopardy if they do not complete the project by January 1st. If this deadline is missed, a majority of the stakeholders with contracts to ship oil through the pipeline will be able to renegotiate or cancel their contracts. This could be devastating to Energy Transfer Partners and the other pipeline companies behind DAPL.

This is an unprecedented and historic moment for indigenous people and life on this planet. This is a time to stand for justice and against white supremacy with one of the boldest acts of resistance taken in this country in living memory.

NASA's New Horizons: A Heart from Pluto

Lake Champlain

the challenges of freedom

My words were simply, "I cannot comprehend this." when told an excuse that my absentee ballot hadn't been mailed because.....I lost the rest. I filled out the absentee ballot form. Finally I wrote to the town front porch forum. Here it is:

School Revote

MARY GERDT

I did not receive an absentee ballot for the recent revote of the school vote. Apparently none were sent? Or did you receive one and mine was omitted? I prefer to vote at home. I signed the paper for absentee ballots. The Secretary of state said it is up to me to enforce the election rules. It is up to me to ask the town clerk to explain, go to court if need be. No, my body cannot take any more of that. My vote was not counted. If you like that policy, carry on. Just don't presume to know all the reasons I do not want to vote out in public. I thought that is what absentee ballots were all about.

update 5.19.15 follow up post to front porch forum

Several issues back I inquired if others in Monkton did not receive absentee ballots for the town school budget re-vote. I got no response. I do not interpret that as apathy or a conspiracy against me, although I am sorely tempted to take the easy way out. It is stuck in my craw, the assistant town clerk (why did we need an assistant?) said we talked it over and it was too late to send the absentee ballots out. Now I will reiterate I do not have the energy to fight this town over not being able to vote on a budget that affects the taxation on our property. I will submit to the reader that if you tolerate this, it is a slippery slope. Oh, and fair warning: when you fill out the form from the Secretary of State of Vermont for absentee voting for the year, and send it to the Town clerk or assistant, don't expect that you will receive the ballots as requested. Then when you don't, guess "they" decided there wasn't enough time. My vote was never counted.

What if you could help tell the history of 1960's #NYC #GreenwichVillage? You can, See Richard...

Monkton Chronicles

Monkton Chronicles,

November 2016

Thanksgiving Week

It's been 7 months since I have put out an article about this town. Pipeline Fighters, Political Sparring, Health and Fatigue have dominated my summer. Now Summer and Fall are behind us. The first snow a gentle morning. A new America is forming, baby boomers aging, parties losing, party winning. Not worth crying about, little snowflakes, we all melt away in the end. We scraped up what silver we had to pay the taxman. Narrowly paid, avoiding being pinched by zero tolerance tax collectors. shortly after that our 11 year old pellet stove died. It was a good run. Fred and son installed our new stove. toasty warm. hopefully you are warm wherever you are. best wishes, meg

April 2016

4.30.16

I have neglected my lonely Chronicles, Times are tough in this idyllic state of chaos. Vermont, of course, is what I mean. Vermont and Vermonters, genuine and those who "identify as Vermonters" can take credit for the steady as he goes, In full command, Silver Warrior, Bernie Sanders. I predicted he will win the nomination. I still believe that. Locally the steadily advancing Northern front of the Canadian free for all Gaz pipeline. They are carving their way to the Tree that they killed, in fact, many hardwoods. They chipped them, all. Come on down and look. I don't know what the answer is. Addie could only stay up in that tree so long. We warriors for the planet feel we have been here before. And hope we may stop the madness that supports fracking in #Alberta. Town of Monkton, Vermont has a website if you care to peruse the gas pipeline stuff. It all makes me sick.

Spring is being her usual stubborn self in the North Country. The Sunlight has been marvelous. Code word: Sunlight = Arctic air...brr.

May will start a little warmer and badly needed rain. That will wash the pollen down, and start the greening...A Spring delight here. Brown to Green. All for now. Have a Wonderful May. meg

March 2016

3.18.16

It's been awhile since I have posted in the land of sparse news.

There was a "Quintessential Town Meeting" in Monkton, Vermont that I have once again boycotted. That's part of the plan, you know, to steer the town business the way of the chosen few. I gave up, quit, starvation of my political desires. Forget it. I can't. It's hard to explain all this. You may think I am being whiny, intolerant. ignorant...

No, I am frustrated. How can one person one vote by transferred to the mass in the school auditorium? If you're still confused, that, too is part of the plan. No wonder I haven't written updates in the Chronicles.

Keep tuned...spring is on the way. meg

February 2016

2.10.2016

Still more or less an open winter with spotty snowfalls in the Champlain Valley. Some cold air on the way to take us below zero.

We are now on the shorter side of winter. The daylight hours changing subtly at first, then all at once you notice. The snow that is lacking reminds me of how reflective snow is. South of here, blizzards and hurricanes. Guess it's nice for us to have a break.

The election timeline is fascinating, for a few seconds. Then it falls into a monotony. The major media outlets rake in the dough...strange that donations go to elect people. Or that a woman (Carly Fiorina) was excluded from the New Hampshire debate because of polls that in New Hampshire, are grossly inaccurate. Women were not outraged at Carly's being stifled or Sarah Palin being called dumb. There should be so surprise when Hilary is squashed like in 2008.

Enough for now. Healing with Knight Salve #5, probiotics, sunshine.

January 2016

01.21.16

Every winter in Vermont is tough, just for different reasons. This year we were not hardened off, so to speak. All of the sudden it got cold, over and over. Eek. Finally got to this chore. The town as relates to me, We sent in forms for absentee ballots. Why do we have to do this every year? I am still experimenting with salves, and other healing regimens. Time is the factor we surely cannot control. Today, breaks of sunlight is warm in a south window.We fight the pipeline, the state brought a stacked deck to the public service board of Yes.

All for now.

December 2015

12.31.2015

Our unusually mild weather has turned to more typical cold, rain and snow.

The last day of 2015 finds me upright and breathing. Skin in the healing mode, aided by salves and soaps I have put together. Avoiding the mainstream products when I can.

We had a low keyed Christmas. Turning in early for New Year's. Hope everyone is safe tonight. Tomorrow is 2016.

That is an interesting number, isn't it? meg

12.7.2015

The Sun is lower in the sky, air is colder. We are enjoying the warmer December. There will be colder days ahead. Have been blogging, tweeting, and attempted to get my Samsung phone to coordinate with clouds, kindles, PC's and a rusty brain.

News came hard that a friend, my blogger mentor, Herrad Ford had passed away after an illness. Please say a prayer for her husband who is hurting right now. I am working on a tribute post. It will come to me when it is good and ready. Sleep helps with expression. Does that make sense? I am tired. Done for the day. Well, done except for watching Scorpion and NCIS-LA, 2 of my favorite shows right now.

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

“For each thorn, there's a rosebud...for each twilight — a dawn... for each trial — the strength to carry on,For each stormcloud — a rainbow... for each shadow — the sun... foreach parting — sweet memories when sorrow is done.”

Quotes

Not sure where I found these."Suppose there are no hypothetical situations.""When your horse dies, get off."my lawyer haiku:"Lawyering,Back and forth they go,Poor folks suffer, losing time,Property all gone."

Gadget

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Quotes

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear -- not absence of fear."--Mark Twain, 19th-century American writer

“Security is mostly a superstition. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outrightexposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”--Helen Keller, 20th-century American writer, lecturer, advocate

"The vision of justice is an eternal long march to the Promised Land of the good life for all.” Justin Dart, Jr.

Wisdom of Kahlil Gibran

"Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love."

Fear

"There is the fear that we shan't prove worthy in the eyes of someone who knows us at least as well as we know ourselves. That is the fear of God. And there is the fear of Man --fear that men won't understand us and we shall be cut of from them."
Robert Frost

Folks

In winter's tedious nights, sit by the fire With good old folks, and let them tell thee tales. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Quote(s) of the Millenium

"Man, like a tree in the cleft of a rock, gradually shapes his roots to his surroundings, and when the roots have grown to a certain size, can't be displaced without cutting at his life." Oliver Wendell Holmes"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Ready for Garth Hudson..from Levon Helm Studios twitter feed...

Music Links: Levon Helm Website & has the Midnight Ramble schedule

Official Blog of Mary E. Gerdt

for my content, all rights reserved 2009, 2010,2011,2012 ...

for links and other people's stuff, i will note that.

this blog is not profitable and content posted is

for the viewer's enjoyment.

Welcome

and feel free to move about the cabin. The ride may be bumpy. Some of this stuff is mine. Some stuff is other people's links-please read & enjoy, I work for free. Please do not rip off anything and sell it. Please do buy people's music listed here to support their music. If you do not want something posted here please tell me. Have a great day in the blogosphere. Mary